W.Va. gas well blast injures 7; flames now 40 feet
By VICKI SMITH
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A crew drilling a natural gas well through an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle hit a pocket of methane gas that ignited, triggering an explosion that burned seven workers, state and company officials said Monday.
The blast created a column of flame that was initially at least 70 feet high, but the rig operator said the site was secure and the fire was about 40 feet high by late morning.
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Hitting a gas pocket is always possible when drilling a gas well. It sounds like they the necessary control equipment ready for this well accident.
I meant they DIDN'T have the blowout preventor equipment ready!